ARW 3/18

Recent reports of halibut from the Oyster Point area got me thinking, "if they're already over there, why not in Alameda?"  So I went out for a look see this morning.

Launching at 8am, I first headed into Ballena Bay to see if any bait was around.  Threw my net around the tires and further back around docks and pilings for nothing.

Left Ballena Bay through the Crab Cove side, and trolled a modified broken back rebel towards the very end of the rockwall.  Made a couple drifts out there on the last of the incoming with frozen anchovies.  Still nothing.

At the turn of the tide, I trolled back down the wall, ending up at the flag pole on the corner of Ballena Bay.  Dropped down another 'chovie pop, now drifting quite a bit faster in the outgoing water than earlier during the incoming.  Just as the depth dropped from 14' down to 17', my bait got slammed!

FISH ON!  The fish took the bait, ran with it a tiny bit, then just sat on the bottom.  I'd get a bit of line back on the reel, and the fish took would take back just enough to get back to the bottom, where it just sat.  Finally, I got it up to the surface.  Then, while goofing with the camera the fish gets a second wind and high tails it for who knows where.  The fish made a hell of a run, then found a spot on the bottom and hunkered down. 

All this muscling the fish off the bottom repeatedly had me beat by this point.  The next time I was able to get the fish to the surface, I had the net ready.  Scooped it up, hoisted it onto the kayak and then just relaxed for a minute before putting it to sleep.

Made one more drift then paddled back to the ramp.  A guy at the ramp throwing toys for his dog snapped a pic for me.

The fish measured out at 34" and weighed about 14lbs. 

Nice catch Bungle.  Congrats!

Did you get the length and weight?

Nice but! Nice report! I love finding random cameramen!

CHEERS!

Atta Boy!   Nice work!  I haven't been able to find one of those for the last two years.  This year's going to be the year.  Way to get everyone thinking!

EK

Nice but Nate-

Looks like the bite has started. The next couple of weeks should only get better.

Freddie

good catch nate I will be there next weekend maybe see ya there thanks for the report

In a word, awesome Nate.

Nate,

If anyone has the ARW dialed in for "butts" that would be you.  Thanks for the report and I'm sure the first of many fish.  I suspect we're going to see some ARW stripers soon.

WTG Bro,

Gary

way to go nate, that's super!
I hope it's a great year!
tarpon120

I hate you nate!!!   Didn't even call me or nothin!  Thats alright though, the butt I caught this weekend was way nicer than yours. Trust me. Butt, sorry, there will be no pic of mine.  Good lookin out gettin that pic with yours.

Really though, way to put it down my brother! You da man.  JTF..

Sweet!

Nice going! 

Still need to get my first butt on a yak and this is gonna be the year. Think they are in Tomales yet?????

Get the "F" DOWN Bungle!! That pole is on the BENDO!! and the Bay looks like GLASS! Sweet pose at the launch too.
  it was windy yesterday? what was the time?

That's how to get the S#IT going!! 

Nice photo of you fighting the fish.......which turned out to be a good hailbut